This dissertation focuses upon this omission, as I explore the understudied phenomenon of differential voting participation, or participation in some contests, but not others on the same ballot. Using aggregate voting data, simulated election experiments and survey data, I endeavor to establish that differential voting participation is indeed worthy of additional study and to analyze various aspects of differential voting participation. To analyze the prevalence of differential voter participation, I compare the relative influence of ballot depth compared to those of other more commonly studied dimensions: time and location. I also examine how the straight-ticket option interacts with several individual traits to shape differential voting participation. Finally, I examine the impact of elite cues upon participation in proposition elections. Through these analyses, I endeavor to achieve a more accurate understanding of the entire voting process.